Music Blog : popular music

Michael Buble, "Crazy Love"

googler@evpl — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:31:00 GMT

You may have caught Michael Buble singing after the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. Not a hugely impressive performance for him, I thought -- the man has a remarkable voice and a classic style, in the mode of Sinatra and Darin. He does Vegas-style arrangements of standards and "classic pop" as well as anyone these days.

His latest CD is called Crazy Love, and contains both standards and modern songs. The standards include the opening track, "Cry Me a River," and this thing is one of the most melodramatic arrangments of any song I've ever heard. Critics didn't exactly love this track when the album came out, calling it bombastic, heavy-handed, over-arranged, but I liked it immediately (of course, it may just have suited my mood at the time). I think the drama of the music matches the drama of the lyric, and it's a lot of fun to sing along with.

The modern songs on the CD are surprsing, interesting, and likeable, from the Eagles to a couple of new songs he co-wrote. Jazz and blues elements continue to creep into his style, and he pulls it off pretty well.

Check out Buble's video of "Cry Me a River" here.

Totally tubular compilations of 80s music!

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:57:00 GMT

While searching for a particular 80s song over the weekend (cough...Mr. Mister...cough), I remembered two bodacious box sets in our collection.

Like, Omigod! The '80s Pop Culture Box (Totally)

This set features 7 CDs (an incredible selection of 142 songs) along with a 90-page book chock-full of 80s goodness! Taken from Rhino's website...

"Reagan, junk bonds, shoulder pads -- there's a lot about the '80s that doesn't bear repeating. But thankfully the music does. From Devo's new wave weirdness to Twisted Sister's mental metal to Run D.M.C.'s rocked-out rap, Rhino's latest behemoth box brings you the songs that have outlived the hairstyles."

I award this collection bonus points for including "Centerfold" by J. Geils Band (played it in H.S. Pep Band!), "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler, and "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley (foundation of the infamous rickroll). For the full tracklist, along with samples to listen to, check out Rhino's website.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City soundtrack

The Grand Theft Auto videogames are known for, besides their controversial content, having awesome soundtracks. In each game, a handful of radio stations are available to listen to in vehicles you "acquire"; these radio stations feature genre-specific playlists, interspersed with banter from a DJ and commercials, just like in real-life.

2002's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, set during the 80s, features gnarly music exclusive to that era. The soundtrack is a 7 CD box set, with each disc dedicated to one of the game's 7 music radio stations. We circulate each disc separately, so pick and choose which to check out.

V-Rock with DJ Lazlow: Rock/metal, featuring Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Twisted Sister.
Wave 103 with DJ Adam First: New Wave/Synth, featuring Tears for Fears, A Flock of Seagulls, Corey Hart.
Emotion 98.3 with DJ Fernando: Love songs/power ballads, featuring Toto, Cutting Crew, Foreigner, Mr. Mister.
Flash FM with DJ Toni: Pop music, featuring Hall & Oates, Michael Jackson, Bryan Adams, INXS.
Wildstyle Pirate Radio with DJ Mr. Magic: Hip-hop, featuring Herbie Hancock, Zapp and Roger, Run D.M.C.
Fever 105 with DJ Oliver "Ladykiller" Biscuit: Disco/soul/R&B, featuring the Pointer Sisters, Teena Marie, Rick James, Kool & the Gang.
Espantoso with DJ Pepe: Latin jazz/salsa, featuring Deodato, Tito Puente.

If you're a fan of 80s music (and if not, WHY NOT?!?), I'd recommend checking out both of these rad collections. Like, totally!!!

More Info

Like, Omigod! The '80s Pop Culture Box (Totally)
- EVPL Catalog: View availability at EVPL libraries.
- Rhino.com: View the full tracklist and listen to samples.
- Amazon.com: Buy it at Amazon and support our Public Library Friends.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Soundtrack
- EVPL Catalog: View availability at EVPL libraries.
- ViceCityRadio.com: Official website. Find out more about the fictional DJs.
- Amazon.com: Buy it at Amazon and support our Public Library Friends.

Listen Up! - John Prine's Playing the Centre on October 24th!

Bufkinite@evpl — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:19:00 GMT

John Prine, named an American Treasure by the Smithsonian Institution, has been an iconic American songwriter and folksinger since the release of the eponymous John Prine in 1971. That recording contained enough timeless material to make people sit up and take notice: "Illegal Smile" and the Vietnam veteran's lament "Sam Stone," plus songs that have become folk/country standards - "Angel from Montgomery," "Hello In There," and "Paradise."

If you haven't heard Prine play and sing, now's your chance. He's coming to the Centre on October 24th, and tickets are still available here. It will be well worth the money and your time.

Like Neil Young, Prine has the ability to take very simple lyrics and weave them into compelling emotional statements. Sometimes moving, sometimes funny, always a clear-eyed look into the human condition. Check out the video clip below for an example in the form of the song "All The Best," taken from The Missing Years (the first 30 seconds or so is intro talk)

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Even if you don't go to see him, give him a listen!

Theory of a Deadman returns with "Scars & Souvenirs"

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:36:00 GMT

I've been following Theory of a Deadman since their self-titled 2002 debut. Their latest album, Scars & Souvenirs, shows the band continues to improve with age.

There are essentially two types of songs on the new album:

Slower, melodic power ballads
Driving, aggressive testosterone-fueled rock!!!

Seems like it could get a bit monotonous, doesn't it? Not at all! The album is a blast from start to finish, with plenty of catchy riffs and "interesting" lyrics.

If you're a fan of the genre, I highly recommend this album!

Also, Theory of a Deadman will be performing an all-ages concert at Woody's on Thursday, September 11; all Evansville Police, Firefighters, and EMTs get free admission. For more info, check out 103GBF's website.

Additional Resources:

EVPL Online Catalog: Place a hold on Scars & Souvenirs
Concert Information: Info about the concert on Thursday, September 11
TheoryOfADeadman.com: Official band website
Buy at Amazon.com: Purchase using this link to support the Public Library Friends

Brian Wilson's Latest - That Lucky Old Sun - due out September 2nd.

Bufkinite@evpl — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 22:22:00 GMT

The composing force behind the Beach Boys, Brain Wilson has been in creative control of the production of his music since Pet Sounds was released 40 years ago. His latest recording, That Lucky Old Sun, is coming out in only 3 days. (Several copies are on order for the library - you can put a hold on it by clicking the title link above and using the "Request" button.) Listen to sample tracks and background interviews with Wilson at this site.

The sample tracks that I've listened to, including the title track, indicate that this will be vintage Wilson, with rich and heavily textured male harmonies, without sounding over-engineered. I don't know if there are many other Beach Boys or Brian Wilson fans out there, but if you're like me, every chance to listen to either is great, and a new recording I consider a blessing.

How many Beach Boys recordings are on your iPod?